“If we attempt to circumscribe the means which have enabled us to arrive at the summit of commercial prosperity, shall we not endanger our constitution by rashly drying up the sources which swelled the tide, and gave rapidity to the current of our commercial importance and national revenue.”

Thus exclaimed an eloquent and prophetic statesman… But the enlightened politicians which compose the prevailing party, adopt a different policy. Whatever damps the ardor of commercial enterprise and paralyses her industry, is eagerly grasped at as a mean to accomplish the favourite scheme of its annihilation… The ensuing year will furnish us experience. We will find the sources which swell the tide of our prosperity, so far dried up by the Embargo, that the revenue of the country will not defray one-fourth of the ordinary expenses of government.